Ed the hyena released back to the wild
(Video: Nature and Parks Authority)
Nature and Parks Authority ecologists were thrilled to release Ed, a three-legged hyena, back into the wild following an extensive rehabilitation process that began in August.
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Ed's leg was caught in a trap set by the Binyamin Regional Council in the West Bank. A Palestinian who saw the distressed animal alerted authorities. Severely injured, Ed was initially cared for by volunteers from the For the Wildlife Association in Israel at the Ramat Gan Safari, where staff tried to save his leg.
Ed sustained severe leg injuries and contracted a strain of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, complicating his recovery. Ultimately, the medical team had to amputate his leg.
After completing his veterinary treatment, Ed was moved to the Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve for further rehabilitation and care, where he stayed from December until last week.
Ella Agra, the head caregiver at the Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve, offered insights into Ed's recovery process. "It took Ed some time to recover from his injury. We wanted to make sure that he could survive in nature with three legs. While he stayed at the hospital in a small enclosure, to test his ability to survive in nature, he needed a larger area with natural ground, so he was transferred to the nature reserve.
"When he arrived, Ed received food more similar to his natural prey to help him adapt to returning to the wild and the possibility of hunting larger prey. We closely monitored him through cameras placed in his enclosure."
Ed has also been tagged and will be monitored closely. "Regarding his chances in nature, despite having three legs, the zoo staff and I collaborated with the hospital to assess his rehabilitation process. We observed how he dragged and walked with a carcass. I found that he runs and functions very well and can find his food. He was constantly filmed in the zoo enclosure. So, I decided to release him only when I found that he had very good chances."
First published: 15:20, 02.21.24